Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 283: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. headed cane, 303 a ee Se He was armed i This he firmly clutched as he stood upon his guard, and resolutely demanded the reason of the late obstruction. “Ve mean you no harm, mien friend,” said the Dutchman, coolly. “Nor much good, if I may judge from your looks,” was echoed in silent response. af “Ve vant to ask yon von question.” “What is it it?” ‘¢ “Ve vould merely demand.” ‘Demand 2” “Ja, if you can tell us where to find de Doctor Cuticle.”’ “Oh, is that all?” replied the other, in a modu- lated voice, and dropping his cane from its menacing attitude, ‘“‘ Why, then, you are not far ‘off the person you seek. I have the honour to bear the name you mention,” “ Dat ish fortunate.” “Formerly of Lincoln,” “The noted physican, originally an expert surgeon,” ; _‘‘ And who, within the last two years, has made a rising reputation in London,” put in Blueskin, as an addendum, “Gentlemen, I am that Doctor Cuticle, of whom you speak so graciously,” cried the personage in question, making a slight bow in acknowledg- ment of their encomium., “ We have been to your residence, but not being so fortunate as to find you there, and being in- formed that you were probably walking in this direction,” continued Blueskin, “we followed in the hope of overtaking you.” The doctor was all smiles and blandishments, when Wirth Wolfgang, with a glance askance, demanded— “ Muntmeester, vould you like to earn von large sum of gelt—vot you call monies?” “Egad! I think [ should,” replied the now sprightly Cuticle. ‘‘ Indeed, I should jump at it.” “Goot! Take dis purse as de earnest of liberality,” While he uttered the words the Dutchman realised their signification by placing a bag of golden coin in the hand of the astonished doctor. “ Well, now,” he said, communing inwardly, “to look at these fellows I’d have sworn that they meant to have filched my purse instead of giving me theirs, But there—there’s no judging by ap- pearances in this vale of tears! What am I to do for this?” continued the recipient of the bounty, addressing aloud his singular companions, “Save a life !” “Save a life?” echoed the doctor, who, in meditation, silently added, “I thought they were going to take one.” “ You must follow us, mynheer,” said the Dutch- man, mysteriously, pointing in the direction in which they were to proceed, “Gentleman, you will pardon me,” replied the addressed, evincing some hesitation in complying with Wirth Wolfgang’s request, “but I usually inquire who does me the honour to seek my as- sistance, and what is the nature of the case to which am summoned,” “Your clients are people of condition, as you may perceive.” Blueskin, as he spoke, alluded to the purse which the doctor had received, and which he still retained in his possession. “As to the ‘nature of the case,” continued the robber, “confidence in your skill is ample assurance n this case, however, with a gold- | that you will ascertain it for yourself better than we can describe it.” ‘But to the purpose.” ‘“‘ Will you go with us?” “What, now?” inquired the doctor, in a state of uncertainty, “Instantly !” “I really am quite *unprepared;” he continued, “Talmost doubt if I haye my case of instruments with me. Oh! yes, here they are; but I recollect,” continued the son of the Esculapian art, “ I have to call upon a dying patient, so if you will be good enough to give me your name and address, I will be wherever you please to appoint, as soon as possible.” ‘‘We have no time for that,’? said Blueskin. ‘‘ Wirth, this trifling must be put a stop to.” At the given signal, the Dutchman flung his cloak over the head of the bewildered doctor, who, by _the action, was entirely prevented seeing whither or in what direction he was going. At first he was, though greatly alarmed and enervated, inclined to resist, but eventually ‘suc- cumbed on hearing one of his assailants exclaim, ‘““You’d better go quietly, doctor. If you obey you're not only safe but shall be handsomely rewarded for your trouble; continue to struggle, and you will repent your rashness.” The ominous click of a pistol near his ear told the captive that his persecutor would be as good as his word, and that discretion on his part would be the better part of valour, so, without further hesi- tation, submitted to his guidance. We will now jleave the trio we have just dealt with, who are pursuing their way in silence, and return once more to Jack Sheppard and our hero, They are both still in the abode to which the former had been conveyed after his rescue from Tyburn. The-highwayman was reclining on a couch in the apartment, attended by his friend, Roving Jack, The wound .he had received had become exces- sively painful, and frendered a recumbent position absolutely necessary, Our hero, while deeply deploring the sad con- dition of the prostrate Jack Sheppard, felt also acutely the terrible jeopardy in which he was placed. Though the highwayman had contrived to elude the vigilance of the officers of the law, who believed that he had fallen by a shot in the affray at Tyburn, the slightest hint that he had escaped would bring again a host to his recapture. Privacy was, therefore, to be observed, and the secret entrusted only to his firm friends, Wirth Wolfgang and Blueskin, ‘which may account for their mysterious adventure with Doctor Cuticle. ‘Well, Sir John, I shall soon be all right,” said Jack Sheppard, as our hero was bending over him in solicitude. ‘As to the wound, it will soon heal under a surgeon’s care.” You heed it not, but——” “The thought of how it came about will last to the end of my life.” ‘The wound, you say, was inflicted by your own hand?” Yes,” “ Self-murder is a crime, Jack Sheppard, that re- ceives not the pardon of heaven,” “T knew not what I did, and at the fatal moment I wished to die.” ‘‘ How you came to be possessed of a weapon in the emergency is to me still a mystery,” exclaimed our hero. “The hand that armed me with the knife prompted me to do the deed. Darkness was upon CORMELOOOKSHEO ne ee ——E—E—EE—eEe——————— eee